I'm a Journalist who loves the city where I was born and raised. The City of Angels!
Here, I document my adventures at work, as well as in dining, museums, red carpets, wine, shopping, and everything else in between.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Here is a healthy recipe that I tweaked a little bit. Its healthy, easy, and quick.!

STEP #1 Grab a few stacks of Broccoli at the Supermarket or local Farmers Market. (If you get the stacks on it, its a lot cheaper, even if you end up chopping them off)

STEP #2 Cut the Broccoli into florets, rinse and drain.

STEP #3
DRESSING:
use about a quarter cup to a third cup olive oil. About two tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or more depending on taste) one big tablespoon of Dijon Mustard (I ran out so I just used the regular kind ). Salt and pepper to taste. Toss into broccoli florets.

Monday, July 25, 2011

If you are like me, the hardest part about working out is actually changing into your workout clothes, getting in your car and driving to the gym.

Before I even get a chance to get my exercise bra out of the drawer my "other-me" starts convincing me NOT to workout. She says things like, "oh, but you deserve to lounge today" or "skipping the gym ONE day won't hurt", and if that doesn't work the voice pulls out the big guns, "you're tired right Naibe? aren't you soooo tired?". Well guess what, lets tell that voice to SHUT UP!

I decided to cover my ears and say "la la la la", "I can't hear you voice, I cant hear you". l decided to trick that evil side and simply skip changing into my workout clothes at home before it had a chance to conquer me. So I just drove to the Gym with my UGG boots, cute top and even make up on. I just made sure I stuffed my gym bag with the essentials: tennis shoes, socks, sweats, workout bra (don't forget that) and t-shirt. I drove my butt to the gym as if I was going to meet a friend for lunch, parked my car, walked inside, said hi to the gym clerk, and before I knew it, I was in the locker room inspired by the sweaty people cycling at 80mph and the ones doing crunches on the floor. Now the funny thing is, as soon I got my heart pumping on the treadmill, the annoying negative voice was quickly replaced by my very best voice. You know, the one that tells you can conquer the world, follow your dreams, and become all you can be? Yes my good voice was back, yelling sweet nothings in my ear! Ahhhh I love that voice.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

In L.A. there are only two things people are scared of: Carbs and the 405. So if you're eating a bag of chips while driving the infamous freeway, you really have some street cred. Seriously though, with the impending 53 hour closure of the 405 FWY this weekend, people are literally bracing themselves, stocking their refrigerators, and saying their prayers.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Paris is my all-time favorite city. I had the pleasure of visiting the City of Love my last year of College. And I did fall in love... with the wine and the food. Oh, the stories I could tell... there was the warm and long baquettes for breakfast, the sweet and saucy crepes for dessert, and the deep savory French wines for dinner.

That's why I was happy to discover (thanks to my friend Kikey Castillo) French restaurant/cafe/winery/market "L'epicere Market" sitting right on the corner of Duquense Ave. and Culver Blvd in my own neighborhood of Downtown Culver City. It called to me like a cute french boy with a beret ,flowers and smile.

When you walk into this quaint corner Cafe, owner Thierry Perez who is originally from Southwest France and therefore, still retains his heavy French accent, greets all his customers as if they were long time neighborhood friends.
It immediately took me back to Paris, when I was roaming the streets and the local Cafe owners, butchers, fruit stand attendants, and cab drivers became instant friends. The people that put the human element in the dining experience that we sometimes lack in a city like L.A.
The happy hour menu includes $3 Tapas like Farmers Market Vegetables, Chicken Wings Confit, Field Mushrooms, and Marinated Anchovies to name a few.

Actress Kikey Castillo

They also have a vast wine selection and regular wine tasting classes for $40 that includes four wines paired with four mouth watering dishes. Not a bad price to pay for a quick savory trip to Paris!

Friday, July 8, 2011

I recently did a story for CNN Espanol about a cool new restaurant chain named Stacked which opened its first Restaurant in Torrance, CA.

The cool thing about Stacked is that you order and basically build your meal at your table using an IPAD! (Sorry PC lovers).

If you're not that well-versed with Apple products, not to fret, its very user friendly and there are "floaters" around the restaurant making sure customers know how to navigate between extra cheese, no mayo, and hold the onions.During my interview with Executive Chef Javier Navarro, and Manager Michael Valdivia, I was fascinated by this cool modern concept and started ordering away with one quick swipe of my finger. Come hither good ol' Apple Pie milkshake, mama wants you. A burger with pretzel bread, avocado and an egg? Done! And a Macaroni Pizza? Carb coma I'm ready for you. What surprised me most was that I was more entertained by the many food options Stacked has to offer, rather than by its nifty technology.

I was further impressed by how my taste buds went into overdrive when I bit into the food, the tingly sensation in my mouth kept activating synapses in my brain I hadn't stimulated in a while. Phew, where was I? Oh yea, Stacked a modern restaurant with great food, after all a good meal is something no computer could ever replace.

Stacked is set to open two restaurants soon in San Diego, and Cerritos CA. You can visit them at http://www.stacked.com/.